Solar powered illumination device for a container

Abstract

A mailbox including a box having a box door, a first box door, a photocell circuit, and a cartridge. The box door is pivotally connected to a first wall of the box. The cartridge includes a light source and an electric power source. The light source illuminates an interior surface of the box. The photocell circuit includes a photocell panel. The photocell circuit charges the electric power source using energy acquired by the photocell panel. The electric power source powers the light source. The cartridge is removably mounted to a second wall of the box to electrically connect and disconnect the cartridge to the photocell circuit.

1 . A mailbox, comprising:
 a box having a box door pivotally connected to a first wall of the box and a pair of substantially parallel guide channels mounted to a second wall of the box, wherein each channel includes a continuous groove;   a light source to illuminate an interior of the box;   an electric power source to power the light source;   a photocell circuit which includes a photocell panel, wherein the photocell circuit charges the electric power source using energy acquired by the photocell panel; and   a cartridge housing the electric power source and the light source, wherein the cartridge includes a pair of linear extensions that are slidingly received by grooves to enable the cartridge to be slid into a connection with the photocell circuit.   
   
   
       2 - 3 . (canceled) 
   
   
       4 . The mailbox as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the photocell panel is mounted to the second wall and the photocell circuit is electrically connected to the cartridge. 
   
   
       5 . The mailbox as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the second wall includes a hinge for mounting the cartridge. 
   
   
       6 . The mailbox as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the cartridge includes an extension that connects to the hinge. 
   
   
       7 . The mailbox as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the cartridge includes a handle. 
   
   
       8 . The mailbox as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the light source is activated when the photocell circuit determines a level of ambient light is below a certain minimum magnitude. 
   
   
       9 . The mailbox as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first wall is a bottom wall of the box. 
   
   
       10 . The mailbox as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the second wall is a top wall of the box. 
   
   
       11 . The mailbox as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the electric power source is a rechargeable battery. 
   
   
       12 . The mailbox as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the light source comprises one of an incandescent light, a light emitting diode, or a fluorescent light. 
   
   
       13 . The mailbox as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the box door includes an opening that houses one of a clear or translucent panel. 
   
   
       14 . The mailbox as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the panel includes a panel opening that houses a decorative shape. 
   
   
       15 . The mailbox as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the decorative shape is formed of a clear or translucent material. 
   
   
       16 . The mailbox as recited in  claim 1 , wherein a wall of the box includes an opening that houses one of a clear or translucent decorative shape. 
   
   
       17 . The mailbox as recited in  claim 1 , wherein a surface of the box is opaque. 
   
   
       18 . An apparatus for lighting an interior of a container, comprising:
 a cartridge that includes a cylindrical bar mounted along one end of the cartridge and configured to mate with a pair of swinging hinges mounted to a wall of the container;   a light source to illuminate an interior of the container; and   an electric power source to power the light source,   wherein the cartridge houses the electric power source and the light source.   
   
   
       19 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 18 , further comprising:
 a switch to enable and disable the electric power source.   
   
   
       20 - 21 . (canceled) 
   
   
       22 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the electric power source is a rechargeable battery. 
   
   
       23 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the light source comprises one of an incandescent light, a light emitting diode, or a fluorescent light. 
   
   
       24 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the container is one of a mailbox, an animal dwelling, a statue, and an ornament. 
   
   
       25 . A mailbox, comprising:
 a box having a box door pivotally connected to a first wall of the box and a pair of substantially parallel guide channels mounted to a second wall of the box, wherein each channel includes a continuous groove;   a light source to illuminate an interior of the box;   an electric power source to power the light source;   a cartridge housing the electric power source and the light source, wherein the cartridge includes a pair of linear extensions that are slidingly received by the grooves to enable the cartridge to be slid into a connection with the electric power source; and   one of a clear or translucent panel mounted in an opening of the box door.   
   
   
       26 . The mailbox as recited in  claim 25 , further comprising:
 a switch for enabling and disabling the electric power source.   
   
   
       27 . The mailbox as recited in  claim 25 , further comprising:
 a decorative panel mounted in an opening of a box wall or in the box door.   
   
   
       28 . An illumination device for a container, comprising:
 a lower housing including a light source, a rechargeable battery to power the light source, and a pair of openings in a top portion of the lower housing; and   an upper housing including a photocell circuit to charge the rechargeable battery and a pair of extensions extending from a bottom portion of the upper housing and configured to mate with the openings,   wherein the lower housing removably interlocks with the upper housing via alignment of the openings and corresponding extensions and a rotation of one of the housings.   
   
   
       29 . The illumination device of  claim 28 , wherein the container includes one of a mailbox an animal dwelling, a statue, or an ornament. 
   
   
       30 . The illumination device of  claim 28 , wherein a portion of one or more walls of the container is translucent. 
   
   
       31 . The illumination device of  claim 28 , wherein the portion includes a decoration that is illuminated by the light source. 
   
   
       32 . The illumination device of  claim 28 , wherein the upper housing is circular. 
   
   
       33 . The illumination device of  claim 28 , wherein the lower housing is circular.